Isaiah 32 13

Isaiah 32:13 kjv

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

Isaiah 32:13 nkjv

On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, Yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city;

Isaiah 32:13 niv

and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers? yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry.

Isaiah 32:13 esv

for the soil of my people growing up in thorns and briers, yes, for all the joyous houses in the exultant city.

Isaiah 32:13 nlt

For your land will be overgrown with thorns and briers.
Your joyful homes and happy towns will be gone.

Isaiah 32 verses

Isaiah 32 13 Meaning

This verse describes the land suffering from a severe blight and desolation, lamenting the loss of joy and fruitful abundance that once characterized it. The natural world reflects the spiritual and political turmoil of the people, experiencing barrenness as a consequence of their sin.

Isaiah 32 13 Context

Isaiah 32 primarily addresses a period of impending judgment and future restoration for Judah. This particular verse, chapter 32 verse 13, occurs within a section that vividly portrays the consequences of the people's unfaithfulness and complacency. The preceding verses (32:9-11) are a direct call to the complacent women to mourn the coming desolation. The chapter as a whole anticipates both the severe consequences of sin for the present generation and a future hope of a righteous kingdom under a future Davidic king. Historically, this message would resonate during times of social injustice and the threat of foreign invasion, such as the Assyrian or Babylonian periods. The "land" here signifies more than just the soil; it encompasses the well-being, prosperity, and security of the nation itself, which are directly tied to its covenant relationship with God.

Isaiah 32 13 Word Analysis

• "Upon" - ‘al (עַל): A common preposition with varied meanings including "on," "upon," "against," "concerning," "about." Here, it denotes being positioned on or over the land, indicating the extent of the disaster.

• "your" - kĕn (כֵּן) (in some readings, or implied possession): Referring to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

• "land" - 'arets (אֲדָמָה): Means "land," "earth," "ground," or "soil." Here, it specifically refers to the Promised Land, the territory of Israel, but metaphorically encompasses the nation and its state of being.

• "grass" - dĕshe' (דֶּשֶׁא): Refers to "tender grass," "herbs," or "green pasture." The loss of grass signifies the complete ruin of the land's fertility and capacity to sustain life.

• "with" - ‘im (עם): A preposition meaning "with" or "together with."

• "thorns" - tsenim (צִינִים): Denotes "thorns," "brambles," or "thistles." This is a common biblical image of a land cursed or rendered infertile due to sin (Gen 3:18).

• "is grown up" - ya‘al (יַעֲלֶה): The Niphal stem of the verb meaning "to go up," "to ascend," "to grow." Here, it means "it grows up," signifying the proliferation of destructive, useless vegetation over the fertile land.

• "Yea" - gam (גַּם): An adverb meaning "also," "yea," "even." It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the desolation.

• "house" - bayit (בַּיִת): Refers to "house," "home," or "temple." Here, it signifies homes or dwellings of the people, and by extension, the security and prosperity associated with them.

• "of" - Possessive or prepositional meaning.

• "joy" - mĕśuśah (מְשׂוּשָׂה): Means "exultation," "joy," "gladness." The absence of joy indicates a loss of happiness, celebration, and communal well-being.

• "because of" - mippĕnê (מִפְּנֵי): A prepositional phrase indicating the cause or reason.

• "the inhabitants" - yosheh (יוֹשֵׁב): The participle of the verb yasheh (ישׁב) meaning "to sit," "to dwell." Refers to those who live in the land.

• "of" - Possessive or prepositional meaning.

• "iniquity" - masyá’ (מַשְׂאָה): Derived from the verb sa'a (שָׂאָה) meaning "to be desolate," "to be laid waste." This noun denotes "desolation," "devastation," or "iniquity/wrongdoing" as a cause of such desolation. Some scholars interpret this word more broadly as stemming from a lack of morality or spiritual depravity.

• "of" - Possessive or prepositional meaning.

• "Hamaluts" - hĕmaluts (הֶמָלוּץ): A hapax legomenon (occurs only once). Its precise meaning is debated, but common interpretations include "delicacy," "fineness," "pleasantness," or "preciousness." This loss of delicacy/pleasantness underscores the pervasiveness of the destruction, affecting even refined aspects of life.

• Grouped analysis: The verse vividly contrasts the "tender grass" (lush fertility) with "thorns and brambles" (barrenness and difficulty), symbolizing the spiritual fall from grace to curse. The loss of "joy" within the "house" directly links the desolation of the land with the state of its inhabitants, particularly their "iniquity" and "Hamaluts" (a profound sense of desolation affecting all pleasantness).

Isaiah 32 13 Bonus Section

The specific mention of "women" in the preceding verses (32:9-11) to "tremble" and mourn indicates a particular focus on those often responsible for maintaining the household and its comforts. Their distress would be acutely felt as the land’s desolation directly impacts their ability to provide and to find security. The prophecy here operates on multiple levels: literal agricultural decline, the cessation of pleasant dwelling places, and the spiritual barrenness that results from iniquity, leading to a loss of God’s favor and presence. The contrast with the promised future of a restored land with a righteous ruler, where "the wilderness becomes a fruitful field" (Isa 32:15-16), emphasizes the severity of the current judgment but also points towards ultimate hope and redemption in the Messianic age.

Isaiah 32 13 Commentary

This verse paints a stark picture of national and environmental devastation. The land, meant to be a place of blessing and sustenance, is overtaken by thorns, mirroring how the people’s sin has rendered their lives unproductive and painful. The loss of grass signifies the end of nourishment and comfort. Furthermore, the disappearance of joy from the houses, a direct consequence of the people's iniquity, highlights how spiritual corruption leads to widespread societal misery and loss of well-being. The word "Hamaluts" suggests a profound unravelling, affecting the very fabric of life's pleasures and comforts. It is a divine indictment where the land itself becomes a testament to the people's rebellion, embodying a barrenness that reflects their inner state.

• Practical application: True national well-being and individual joy are intimately linked to spiritual faithfulness. When a people turn away from God, the land and their life experiences reflect this spiritual barrenness. Conversely, obedience and repentance lead to flourishing.